United launching festive holiday ‘Fantasy Flights’ - News & announcements
United Airlines announced today the launch of its newest seasonal hub - at ‘the North Pole.’
United unveiled a series of Fantasy Flights from 13 cities in the US, UK and Asia Pacific.
United's Fantasy Flights are local, customized experiences for pre-selected children and their families to board a United aircraft to Santa's hometown.
Children arrive at the ‘North Pole’ created by United airport employees and local volunteers who transform an average airport gate or maintenance hangar into a Santa’s grotto of twinkling lights, Christmas trees and Santa and his elves.
This year, United will transport a large number of children and their families on Fantasy Flight departures from 13 airports including: Cleveland, Chicago-O'Hare, Denver, Fort Lauderdale, Guam, Honolulu, Houston Bush, London, Los Angeles, Newark, San Francisco, Tokyo and Washington-Dulles.
United Express operated airports across the system will also host Fantasy Flights.
United's EVP of Human Resources and Labor Relations, Kate Gebom said: "United is honored to uplift children and their families. Making the North Pole closer than ever is one of the many ways we can show support for the communities where we live, work and fly."
Santa and his elves, led by United team members, volunteer every year to build and staff Fantasy Flights across United's global network.
Make-A-Wish is partnering with United this year to send wish kids on select Fantasy Flights in Denver, Chicago, Cleveland, Houston, and Guam.
United has partnered with Make-A-Wish
® to assist children facing critical illnesses.
Customers and loyalty members can
donate miles or money through December 31, 2024, and United will match up to five million miles total and match monetary donations of up to $500,000 total through travel certificates.
In addition, illy coffee is offering a donation to Make-A-Wish on sales of cold brew throughout the month of December.